Mazda Friendee

[crapcarcollector]

Noticed a Mazda Frendee for sale at the local bomb site on my home last night, a pop top 'camper' thing.

 

Popped down this morning with the boy in tow to have a look, some other local was already having a look see. I thought it was a bit ropey and dear £3995 on a 95, with all the issues a non official import bring. Fark me if the other fella just rolls over and buys it at the full asking within 5 minutes of the salesman arriving.

 

Salesman aha to me, sorry mate sold now, I'm like don't be sorry I wouldn't have bought it anyway, I'm now wondering if the punter felt under pressure....

[crapcarcollector]

Just looked on eBay, looks like I'm the one who fucked up. It was nicer that the 6k ones on there....

[Rogue trader]

Im an MOT tester and there is a chap who comes in all the time who makes a living out of selling these things and they fetch good money all day long he cant buy them fast enough. I'm amazed how much these things fetch too Ford Freda's are the same motor watch out for rusty sills and worn anti roll bar "D" bushes and link arms though as these are very common.

[BorniteIdentity]

They like coolant too. If you're going to buy one, ideally you want one that's already had a low coolant alarm fitted. If not do it quickly to avoid heart ache.

[strangeangel]

Just looked on eBay, looks like I'm the one who fucked up. It was nicer that the 6k ones on there....

 

Those things have a bit of a cult following and are way overpriced for the ageing rustbuckets that they are. You're better off out of it.

[Bobthebeard]

The diesel versions can run on 100% veg oil apparently.

[bigfella2]

They use the same engine as the ford ranger, and they are notorious for cracking of head and/or head gasket issues. As above can't see why there so popular and command such high prices, as with most Mazda's of this age rust is a worry.

[mercrocker]

They apparently have zero rustproofing too....

[purplebargeken]

They have a stupid name too. Sorry.

[crapcarcollector]

Looks like a narrow escape then. Maybe I will just get an LDV and cut some windows in it

[PiperCub]

They use the same engine as the ford ranger, and they are notorious for cracking of head and/or head gasket issues. As above can't see why there so popular and command such high prices, as with most Mazda's of this age rust is a worry.

Pretty much what I was going to say. There's a bit of a fashion/cult-type thing about them for some reason, can't really see why myself.

As PBG says -  real stupid name!

 

There was one that appeared at a house near me some time back - went past the other day, that space now houses a VW T5. Message maybe? 

[Ghosty]

Bongo Friendees are ££££££££ and shit, they also come with a Ford badge for some reason.

 

Get a Pleasure Wagon like KruJoe.

[Disco Fever]

I had a camperised facelift 2.5 V6 pez Bongo for a couple of years and had a lot of fun with it and sold it for close to what I originally paid (I was first UK owner). It had a low coolant alarm but never missed a beat. My mate's T4 camper van was way better though although considerably pricier.

[mouseflakes]

These are a damned sight cheaper, though probably equally prone to catastrophic failure of some sort. At least you've wasted less money if the worst happens. Far less prone to rust. And look more funky. I have one.

 

£850 for this one...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/mitsubishi/mitsubishi-delica-..4-x-4-7-seater-auto-diesel../1119231782

 

[Ghosty]

Delicas! Hnnng, forgot about those.

[Uncle Jimmy]

[Uncle Jimmy]

Tried out an L300 flava Delica before I purchased me VW. Kinda sports van, really went well with the 2.5 diesel lump and nice steering. Do feel rather 'exposed' sat up front like that and did pitch about a lot under braking.

[Uncle Jimmy]

Bongo Friendees are ££££££££ and shit,

Any van capable of camperdoom* seems to be worth thousands now. Truth is they are all crap. The buggers were designed for a short, brutal life hauling bags of cement about.

[sierraman]

All the JDM stuff rots out within a few winters of arriving here, in Japan they don't salt the roads or get the cack weather we have, so consequently they have no undersell underneath, plus likely to have sat at the side of the docks for a few months...

[UltraWomble]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Sprite-Musketeer-Caravan-4-5-s-berth-only-700-kilo-just-serviced-festival-/121670962284?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1c54278c6c

 

+

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1998-LDV-Pilot-Van-1-9-Diesel-Taxed-and-MOTd-/171814226017?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item2800ed0861

 

=

More fun than a jammy bun

[Rocket88]

These are a damned sight cheaper, though probably equally prone to catastrophic failure of some sort. At least you've wasted less money if the worst happens. Far less prone to rust. And look more funky. I have one.

 

£850 for this one...

http://www.gumtree.com/p/mitsubishi/mitsubishi-delica-..4-x-4-7-seater-auto-diesel../1119231782

 

[Rocket88]

Snap......................................radiators are a bit marginal [ but cheap] Had mine a couple of weeks, well impressed!

[BorniteIdentity]

Don't forget the Toyota Granvia if you're after a part time passion wagon.  Rear seats fold down to make a proper decent bed, whilst most of the time seating 7 or 8 depending on spec.  They're very popular as full blown camper conversions, but you can pick one up for about £2k in MPV flavour then mix and match.

 

 

Many people will think you're disabled, so make sure you do loud sex to really confuse/excite fellow campers and innocent passers by.

 

I love mine.

[Lacquer Peel]

My friend had a Toyota Regius, a good van, refined and comfy with seats you can turn into a bed like a Renault 16 and electric curtains (!) but the cylinder head became porous and needed ££££ to rectify.

 

That's what terrifies me about these grey import vans, they seem way more prone to engine issues than UK market vehicles with the same engines.

[BorniteIdentity]

The one to have is the 3.0 Turbo Diesel. 1kz-te is the legendary land cruiser motor and is notoriously tough.